PRIVACY takes on a whole new meaning with Rania, named after the Queen of Jordan, a luxurious 86-foot GulfCraft Majesty speed yacht from the Maldives with its own private island.
The vessel returns to its Dubai roots and makes its Middle East debut at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the region’s premier travel and tourism exhibition in a bid to recruit specialised travel agents to represent it in the region.
“The Middle East now accounts for $1 trillion of the $30.8 trillion worldwide high net-worth wealth and it’s estimated that there are over 200,000 multi-millionaires in this region. It’s only natural that we enter this market with this exclusive high-end product. We’ve already had tremendous success in Europe and America and will now be intensifying our efforts to win Middle East tourists,” says Vijai Singh, general manager, Rania & Water Garden Island Spa, the exclusive private island in the Maldives, approximately 120 kilometres south of the capital Male, where the yacht can be berthed.
The company is looking to work with tour operators in the Middle East and hopes to finalise these during ATM. “We are looking for elite operators who have the client base that will suit the Rania experience and who offer the personal touch to their customers. We will offer commission to operators and travel agents depending on the contracts,” says Singh.
What differentiates the company from other high end tourism products is Rania’s royal heritage, he says – it was originally acquired from a sheikh in Dubai. “We are the only luxury hospitality experience in the Maldives that sells on an exclusive basis a private yacht that comes along with her own private island.”
The yacht has two double and two twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas, barbeque, Jacuzzi, air-conditioning and a full entertainment system with satellite TV and DVD.
It can accommodate up to nine guests and a week for nine adults would cost approximately $84,000 excluding airfare to the Maldives, fine spirits, speciality wines, smokes, telephone calls and medical expenses if any, says Singh. The rate is inclusive of food and beverage and use of all the island’s facilities.
“Each custom-tailored package provides guests exclusive use of the yacht and the island, up to three hours of sailing per day, all dining, drinks, unlimited spa treatments, unlimited diving and instruction, snorkelling and dive equipment, water sports and boat fuel. We also include a full yacht crew and island staff, a private chef, spa therapist, PADI dive instructor and butler. During their stay at Water Garden Island Spa, guests can enjoy exclusive use of the pool, spa, entertainment pavilion and beach. Here, every request is facilitated by a personal butler, who can be summoned by mobile phone from anywhere on the island.”
The Ayur Spa has a variety of Thai, Ayurvedic and Swedish treatments.